R U Ready for Christmas Shoppers?

Do you feel like the year is speeding to a close?   A lot of others do too.

All the build up for Election Day with the push from both parties to vote early, was making headlines meanwhile most people went about their usual lives with the end of year holidays. Halloween is always the last day of October so retailers know when to stock their shelves with candy, costumes and decorations.  However many Halloween events occurred earlier in the month so we can safely say that the entire month was Halloween Shopping Season.

Right now we’re focused on Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and while Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are always December 24th and 25th, Thanksgiving is a little trickier.

A lot of folks that I’ve talked to thought it was November 22nd, but November 29th is Turkey Day 2024.  That’s pretty late in the month, which means that Black Friday is the 30th.

Black Friday has been the traditional kick off for Christmas shopping and this year we have less than 4 weeks until Christmas gifts are opened. 

As a retailer, are you ready?  Here’s some great insight that readers of my Sound ADvice newsletter received a couple weeks ago:

People are shopping earlier and earlier.  Are you ready to capture your share of the holiday shopping season?

On average, the top 10 busiest shopping days in the U.S. account for approximately 30 – 40% of all holiday retail traffic. Taking advantage of these 10 days and the days surrounding them is paramount to having a successful holiday shopping season. (Source: Sensormatic, Sept 2024)

Consumer reports and surveys from nearly every industry expert indicate that spending will increase by nearly 32% in 2024. The average shopper will spend approximately $1261, up from $958 in 2023.

According to the NRF (National Retail Federation), 45% of shoppers plan to start shopping before November, up from 40% just 10 years ago.

There are three main reasons why consumers are getting in the buying spirit earlier than normal this holiday season: 

1. Fear of limited supplies
2. Inflation – Stretching their budgets
3. Major retailers setting the pace and launching sales events earlier

According to an October 2024 Forbes article, holiday shopping isn’t just for retailers. Restaurants, décor stores, and others can cash in as well. Of the $1261 each shopper plans to spend on average, not all is targeted for gifts. Spending on food and décor has surged by 61% and entertainment budgets have increased by 56.4%. 

Well-planned businesses that run well-executed events and promotions can help garner more than their fair share of the holiday shopping pie. Knowing when the shoppers are ready to shop and being prepared for them is paramount to getting that fair share. 

Stores that plan in-store special events and then promote them will see more significant store traffic and greater sales than those that simply sit back and “hope” people stop in. Inviting holiday shoppers into the store at key buying times can and will make all the difference.

The busiest shopping days will see some slight changes in 2024. With that said, Black Friday will hold its title as the busiest shopping day.

Are you ready?

According to Sensormatic Solutions, the 10 busiest shopping days of the 2024 holiday season in the United States are:

1. Black Friday: Friday, November 29
2. Super Saturday: Saturday, December 21
3. Monday before Christmas: Monday, December 23 
4. Sunday before Christmas: Sunday, December 22 
5. Second Saturday before Christmas: Saturday, December 14  
6. Saturday after Black Friday: Saturday, November 30
7. Boxing Day: Thursday, December 26
8. Third Saturday before Christmas: Saturday,  December 7
9. Saturday after Christmas: Saturday, December 28
10. Friday before Christmas: Friday, December 20

While this article focuses on retail, there is major money being spent in and around the holiday season in many other business categories. For example, Life Insurance and Investments, HVAC, and many end-of-year health care procedures are being completed.  The age-old saying, “making hay while the sun shines” is appropriate in these and other categories as well.

If you would like help planning any of your marketing and/or advertising events for this holiday season, it’s not too late.  Contact me and I will gladly sit down with you and help come up with creative ideas to help you have a successful 2024 holiday shopping season.  And even more important, we can develop a plan for 2025 so you’re not missing out on any of the major shopping days and seasons.